Final answer:
Telomerase is an enzyme that maintains the ends of linear chromosomes. It attaches to the end of the chromosome and adds complementary bases to the RNA template, allowing DNA polymerase to replicate the ends of chromosomes. Telomerase is active in germ cells, adult stem cells, and some cancer cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Telomerase is an enzyme involved in maintaining the ends of linear chromosomes, called telomeres. It contains a catalytic part and a built-in RNA template.
Telomerase attaches to the end of the chromosome and adds complementary bases to the RNA template, elongating the lagging strand.
This allows DNA polymerase to add nucleotides and replicate the ends of chromosomes. Telomerase is typically active in germ cells, adult stem cells, and some cancer cells.